it only seems fair that if a title examiner has rendered a service (provided an abstract etc.) that they should be paid for that service according to the payment arrangement set up, in most cases in westchester county, new york i bill my clients once a month and receive payment within ten days. as independent contractors payment is not contingent on whether a service is rendered on spec or the title does not close. one of the illustrations i always use is that when you get your car repaired, you pay the bill, you do not have the option of saying i'll pay if the repair was done right. there are so many agents that will start fresh with a new abstractor, pay promptly, then default and look for a new service provider.